"The Civaux nuclear power plant is a nuclear power generation center (CNPE) located in the town of Civaux (Vienne) on the banks of the Vienne between Confolens (55 km upstream) and Chauvigny (16 km downstream), 34 km southeast of Poitiers, it was commissioned in 1997.

The plant consists of two PWR nuclear reactors and precursors of the EPR project, designated as "N4 tier", of 1450 megawatts each. The Civaux plant uses ambient air and Vienna water for cooling.

The Civaux plant is equipped with cooling towers, which are the highest among those of EDF's nuclear power plants (178 m) 3. It is these towers which, using Vienna water, contribute mainly to the cooling of the plant. Their height is determined to optimize heat exchange.